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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Automated apparatus for producing gradient gels

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5533207

An apparatus is described for producing a gradient gel having a variation in composition along the height of the gel, the gel being useful as in providing a standard medium for a two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis of proteins and having a density gradient along the height resulting from the variation in composition. The apparatus consists of: mixing means for forming the gel composition from light and heavy combinations of gel ingredients, first and second means for transferring the light and heavy combinations of gel ingredients to the mixing means including first and second pumping means, motor means or incrementally driving the pumping means for providing a predetermined quantity of the light and heavy combinations of gel ingredients, a hollow form for receiving the gel composition, first transfer means including a first filler tube for transferring the gel composition from the mixing means to the hollow form to provide a predetermined amount of the gel composition in the form, the filler tube extending to a position near the bottom of the form, adjustment means for adding a small quantity of the heavy combination of gel ingredients through the first filler tube to move the gel composition to a predetermined height, means for limiting the gel composition to the predetermined height in the form, arm means for sequentially withdrawing the filler tube and relocating the tube in an opening in the next adjacent hollow form, including vertical and horizontal adjustment means, and digital computer means for providing digital signals to drive the motor means and the arm means.

Assignee:
Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
Patent Number(s):
US 4594064
OSTI ID:
5533207
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English